February 28, 2014
HAWLEY READS TO STUDENTS
AT THE JOHN KENNEDY SCHOOL IN BATAVIA
Assemblyman Steve Hawley reads to third grade students at the John Kennedy School in Batavia.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) shared the joy of reading with third grade students at the John Kennedy School in Batavia as part of the “Read Across America” program. Hawley read a Dr. Seuss book to the students and answered questions about the book. He hopes that the experience will give the children a deeper love of books and encourage them to read on their own.
“Inspiring a love of books is one of the most important things we can do for our kids, so I thank the staff of the John Kennedy School for letting me contribute to that cause,” said Hawley. “I hope that today’s events fostered a love of reading in the students at the John Kennedy School that continues for the rest of their lives.”
________________________________________________________________________
HAWLEY VISITS, READS TO STUDENTS
AT BROCKPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Assemblyman Steve Hawley reads to elementary students at Brockport Elementary School.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) visited Brockport Elementary School in an effort to better understand and advocate for students and teachers in his role as a state assemblyman. After reading a Dr. Seuss book to students, Hawley met with the Rochester Area Library Association, toured the school’s kitchen, and discussed the “Farm to School” program at the Brockport School District.
“I thank the staff of Brockport Elementary School for hosting me today. This experience has better prepared me to look out for the interests of our students and teachers,” said Hawley. “One of the most important functions of our government is to deliver the best possible education to our kids. Now I can more effectively push for policies and programs that will prepare our students for success.”
February 25, 2014
HAWLEY VOTES AGAINST DREAM ACT, COMPARES TO CUOMO’S ‘COLLEGE FOR CONVICTS’ PLAN
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) voted against the DREAM Act today, citing concerns that working-class families are disregarded in favor of illegal immigrants. He noted the similarities between the DREAM Act and Gov. Cuomo’s plan to give a free college education to incarcerated felons. In both cases, lawbreakers would be receiving college tuition assistance and law-abiding families of students would be spending their life savings and borrowing to obtain an education. Hawley issued the following statement:
“The DREAM Act is wrong for the hard-working families of upstate New York who have played by the rules and are still burdened with crushing student loan debt. It’s particularly troubling to pass this exactly one week after the governor rolled out his ill-advised plan to give free college to convicts. Families who are trying to give their kids a better life need and deserve student aid and illegal immigrants and convicts do not.”
February 19, 2014
GOVERNOR PUTS CRIMINALS
BEFORE MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced his opposition to Gov. Cuomo’s plan to give free college degrees to people in prison. The governor’s plan reflects the misplaced priorities of downstaters who continue to ignore the needs of hard-working Western New York families. Instead of rewarding criminals, Hawley says the state should help the families who are taking on overwhelming debt to put their kids through college.
“The governor’s plan to give free college to convicts is one of the worst ideas I’ve heard during my tenure as an assemblyman. It’s insulting to middle-class Western New Yorkers who are taking on debts over $50,000 to go to college,” said Hawley. “This plan punishes law-abiding citizens while rewarding criminals. Not only is this idea wrong in principle, but it may cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. We should never ask taxpayers to pay for the college education of convicts while they are taking on debt to pay for their own.”
February 5, 2014
HAWLEY PASSES RESOLUTION TO PROCLAIM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7th AS “WEAR RED FOR WOMEN DAY”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) passed a resolution alongside his Assembly colleagues to proclaim this Friday, February 7th,as “Wear Red for Women Day”. The goal of the day is to promote awareness of heart health for women, since heart disease is the number one cause of death in women, causing over 460,000 female deaths every year.
“Heart health is very important, especially when you consider the grim statistics associated with heart disease. I’ll be wearing red on Friday to promote awareness about heart health issues for women and what can be done to counter this trend,” said Hawley. “I hope that men and women throughout my district will support and invest their time and effort into healthy lifestyles that prevent heart disease.”
Women are affected by heart disease more than any other illness, claiming a woman’s life every minute, or 460,000 deaths every year. By comparison, all forms of cancer took the lives of 270,000 women. Additionally, about two-thirds of females who died of heart disease experienced no symptoms prior.
“Wear Red for Women Day” is part of the Go Red for Women initiative by the American Heart Association, which empowers women with the knowledge and resources they need to take care of their hearts.
February 4, 2014
HAWLEY PUSHES FOR ASSEMBLY INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM FOR DISABLED VETERANS
Assemblyman Steve Hawley discusses the G.I.V.E. Back NY Program, which would give disabled veterans more opportunities to have internships in the New York State Assembly.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today was joined by Assembly members Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) and Kieran Michael Lalor (R,C,I-Fishkill) as well as various veterans groups to call for a new internship program within the Assembly for disabled veterans. Hawley envisions this internship program as a way for disabled veterans struggling to enter the workforce to gain legislative government experience for their resumes as they put themselves through college.
“Among the many challenges that disabled veterans face when they transition to civilian life, breaking into the workforce is near the top. An Assembly internship program, specifically for disabled veterans, would show both our gratitude for their sacrifice and give them needed job experience,” said Hawley. “I also believe members of the Assembly and their staffs could benefit from having disabled vets working alongside them. These vets would be a reminder of service to country and community − a reminder that is sorely needed in government right now.”
The proposed Assembly internship program, Giving Internships for disabled Veterans not currently Employed (G.I.V.E.) Back NY, would set aside a certain number of the Assembly’s internships for disabled veterans. The unemployment rates for disabled veterans is higher than the national average, and that this paid internship program would give participants income to help pay for college or help provide for their family.
During Hawley’s remarks at the press conference about the proposed program, he noted the recent Super Bowl commercial in which a town welcomes a veteran home with a parade. While the commercial was a reminder of the appreciation that is shown to veterans when they come home, it did not show how the veteran fared after the parade. The reality is that veterans have a difficult time transitioning to the workforce because there is no civilian equivalent to a lot of military work. Hawley views this program as a step to solve that problem. In addition, Assembly internships come with a stipend, and Hawley proposes this stipend for disabled veterans should amount to $11,500 for the semester.
“While we don’t have the capability to show our appreciation to veterans through a multimillion dollar Super Bowl commercial, we do have the ability to help boost their resumes, give them some money to help pay their way to college or provide for their families, and give them a ground level view of how state government operates. It is the least we can do to help the veterans who served our country so honorably,” said Hawley.
